Patents Represented by Attorney John E. Holford
  • Patent number: 5790241
    Abstract: A system and technique for a laser rangefinder which uses a low peak power aser, scanner, and beam scanning device with a linear detector where target range corresponds to individual detector elements to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and maximum target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Charlie W. Trussell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5784191
    Abstract: Combining a tristimulus filter, two lenses, and a crystalline colloidal ay filter in an arrangement resulting in a visible optical limiter without substantial color distortion that can be used for eye or sensor protection. Only three nonlinear colloidal arrays are needed to Bragg reflect over the pass bands of the tristimulus filter. The nonlinear colloidal array is arranged so that the band reflected (at the least) completely overlaps the pass band of the tristimulus filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary L. Wood
  • Patent number: 5734495
    Abstract: A device and technique for the passive real-time control of effective emivity, color, and camouflage, the device utilizing surfaces which are interposed between a target and an observer at a viewing position with a predetermined angular resolution. Effective surfaces are utilized, including at least one set of movable surfaces, the effected surfaces having a predetermined surface characteristic, such as emissivity, color, or camouflage pattern. An assembly contains all surfaces relative to each other such that the front and back surfaces are seen by the viewing position as stationary. A drive assembly allows movable surfaces to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Melvin H. Friedman
  • Patent number: 5729376
    Abstract: An optical assembly using a centrally-obscured catadioptric optical objece that provides two different focal planes using the same set of optics. Both optical paths share the same optic axis and common line-of-sight. One focal plane is optimized for use with a high performance GEN II image intensifier tube, and the other is used for either laser receiver or emitter devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John M. Hall, Dallas N. Barr, Richard Utano
  • Patent number: 5691410
    Abstract: A water dispersible low-reflectance coating composition which is a CARC cosition and results in a coating that is flexible at ambient and sub-zero temperatures. The composition is a three component system, where the first component includes: hydroxyl-functional polyurethane, pigments, polymeric beads, emulsion of hydrophobic solids, micro-milled calcium carbonate, anti-settling agent, dispersing agent, water solvent, and non-ionic emulsion. The second component includes polyisocyanate and a solvent, while the third component is water solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John A. Escarsega, Kestutis G. Chesonis
  • Patent number: 5648868
    Abstract: An optical system is provided for a FLIR mounted in a cylindrical turret ch has five folding mirrors, two doubling as scanning mirrors, numerous lenses with aspherical surfaces and different refractive indices, and a rotatable head mirror. Some of the lenses and mirrors being mounted on remote controlled electrically powered focusing or scanning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John M. Hall, Richard A. Wright, Philip Perconti
  • Patent number: 5638162
    Abstract: An optical scheme and system involving a probe laser with simple analog pessing to detect an optical echo. This allows verification that a transmitter has hit a target receiver or will allow synchronized firing with another laser transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John E. Nettleton, Dallas N. Barr, Brian C. Redman
  • Patent number: 5629807
    Abstract: A head-mounted vision enhancement system which provides crash survivabili weight, and center of gravity superior to the currently fielded image intensifier goggle arrangements. This is accomplished by positioning the goggle objective lens assembly and intensifier tube closer in around the head and then using an eyepiece to bring the image back around into the eye. Hypersteropsis is thus avoided by folding the intensifier objective lenses from the center of the forehead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5629520
    Abstract: A system and technique to incorporate threat detectors within the FLIR's ical train and use the radiation reflected off of insertable protective filters, or a coated clear window, to determine if the threat is still present. If there has been some change in laser threat status then there is allowed the removal or insertion of the protective filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Jaime Sonstroem
  • Patent number: 5563409
    Abstract: An automated test system and method for infrared focal plane detector arr which utilize X-Y positioning of a focused laser spot scanning individual detector array elements Detector element outputs are processed for the entire focal plane array resulting in crosstalk measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Khoa V. Dang, Christopher L. Kauffman, Zenon I. Derzko
  • Patent number: 5528418
    Abstract: A day-night rifle sight, using separate parallel day and night sights comed by means of a beam splitter; is improved by: integrating the housings of the night sight and beam splitter, reducing the outer dimensions, sealing and strengthening the coupling between the from ends of the sights; adding a quick release clamp to the rear ends; reducing the image size of the night sight with a fiber optic taper to match the daysight image and reticule; reducing the size of image forming optics and thereby reducing the inner dimensions of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas R. Bowman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5525970
    Abstract: A safety system and technique for multi-aperture optical systems such as TOW missile system that protects against the inadvertent activation of system function and warning the user that the system function is not ready for activation. The electrical trigger for the TOW missile system sends a signal to the firing circuits to launch a TOW missile. A micro-switch is mounted on the barrel of the near infrared (IR) tracker optical system fore optics, activated by the presence of a lens cap. A light group including a green and red light is included in the visible optical system of the TOW missile system. If the lens cap is off, then a green light is visible and firing circuits may be activated by a trigger. If the lens cap was inadvertently left on near IR tracking fore optics then a red light is visible and no voltage flows to the firing circuit when the trigger is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Melvin H. Friedman, Lesley R. M. Condiff
  • Patent number: 5510618
    Abstract: An improved modular FLIR system is provided that fits in the same space elopes that were provided for the Army's GEN I FLIR's. The resolution is more than doubled by using a narrow two dimensional array of Hg-Cd-Te detectors with pn junctions as a time-delay-integration line sensor, improved optics and analog-digital conversion with image enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Bill A. Blecha, Thomas Coty, John J. Curry, Howard T. Graves, Robert C. Guckian, John M. Hall, Samuel B. McDowell, Steve H. Nguyen, Raemon N. Samuels, Thomas E. Smith, Joseph J. Wiedmann, Richard A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5508846
    Abstract: An objective lens assembly provides up to 60 degrees field of view for the NVIS image intensifier goggle. A first lens subassembly positioned on the focal axis faces a external view and substantially corrects pupil aberrations in an aperture stop located after the first subassembly. A second lens subassembly is then located after the aperature stop on the focal axis. Color and field aberration corrections is provided while maintaining substantially high quality focus by a third lens subassembly. A lens element after the third lens subassembly on the focal axis flattens the image plane over the intensifier image format such that there results a format of up to 25 mm with a photocathode resolution for up to a 60 degree field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5504764
    Abstract: A solid-state laser slab amplifier arrangement for the output of a laser m at optimal working conditions. Pump energy is applied to a solid state lasing material so as to irradiate the solid-state lasing material and effect a laser beam with resultant waste heat output. At least one micro-heatpipe bundle which includes multiple micro-heatpipes allows waste heat to be transported away by the working medium through an approximate center of an individual micro-heatpipe from the solid-state lasing material. After condensation, liquid working medium is returned substantially by capillary action through approximate off-center areas of the individual micro-heatpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Juergen L. W. Pohlmann, Richard B. Minch
  • Patent number: 5500729
    Abstract: The heterodyne detection efficiency of coherent laser radars is maximized coaxially aligning the local oscillator (LO) beam and the received laser beam when combined at the detector by preventing interference between the counterpropagating waves in the lasing rod within the lasing cavity by using optic polarization, magneto-optic polarization, and cavity end partial reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Brian C. Redman, Dallas N. Barr, John E. Nettleton
  • Patent number: 5485012
    Abstract: A support-measure to pinpoint and neutralize electro-optical viewing devi or systems is provided which utilizes blind optical augmentation. The counter-measure uses a light source to which current viewers are blind and a combination of visible and far infrared viewing or detection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Wilbur Liebson
  • Patent number: 5478425
    Abstract: The invention is related to electronic and more specifically to photo-electronic devices manufactured by means of thin film layering techniques. The invention proposes the use of polymer, copolymer, polyamide and similar organic casting materials, in layers 500 to 10,000 angstroms thick, as protective barriers between layers where the processing of one layer would be adversely affected by or would damage an adjacent previously formed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Elizabeth H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5479016
    Abstract: A GEN II FLIR kit having two assemblies mounted on a common platform, the rst comprising a dewar, integral cooler, and imaging optics with scanner folded into a compact unit and the second assembly comprising a set of afocal optics with wide and narrow fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John J. Curry, Robert C. Guckian, John M. Hall, Hendrik K. Sijgers
  • Patent number: 5471055
    Abstract: A test system for completely characterizing all known types of infrared and ar-infrared detector arrays for FLIR imagers, which utilizes a number of different radiation sources, array supports, radiation filters, and radiation stops all remotely controlled and positioned by a computer which performs the test, sorts the data collected the results and presents it in a variety of formats. Also an automatic test method for characterizing infrared detectors using remote controlled radiation sources and dewar mounting devices under computer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher R. Costanzo, David R. Kaplan, Khoa V. Dang